The Lake District National Park Authority wanted to stop the walks as they did not attract enough children and people from ethnic minorities.

It said visitors who took part in the free walks were too "white, middle-aged and middle-class".

Now the authority is to hold a special meeting to discuss the plan after it was criticised in the media.

The authority said it will save �32,000 from the Park's �9m annual budget, paid out in expenses to the 300 volunteers who act as guides on the walks.

'Political correctness'

On Tuesday, instead of rubber-stamping the decision to drop the walks, the authority decided to hold a special meeting, within a month, to discuss the proposal.

Mick Casey, spokesman for the authority, said, "Everybody felt there was such a lot on the agenda and it has created a lot of interest, lots of coverage in the media, that they needed a special meeting just on that issue."

Activities facing the axe were walks, a magazine, informative talks and slide shows.

More than 30,000 people take part in events every year, including 4,500 walks.

The authority said it would use funds to attract more young people, disabled people or ethnic minorities to the region.